Duesberg, HIV and AIDS

Article Abstract:

Peter Duesberg continues to extol his notion that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cannot be the cause of AIDS. At first, his objections were within the spirit of scientific inquiry and prompted scientists to carefully examine notions which they might have taken for granted. Despite the fact that the scientific community has largely rejected his ideas, Duesberg has gained sympathizers in the media. What could be a better subject for the news media? Massive hordes of bright but unimaginative scientists doggedly following the wrong trail while the lone hero seeks to shed light on the truth! However, Duesberg's ideas are simply without merit. His case is largely based on the failure of HIV to fulfil Koch's postulates, which is a strict set of criteria which needs to be met before a disease is considered infectious. What seems quaint, however, is seeking to hold to a century-old set of criteria and ignore a wealth of data acquired since then. We understand now that a virus infection is different from a virus disease; only a fraction of those infected with poliovirus come down with polio. We now know that the results of infection may take years to develop, as is the case with tertiary syphilis. Certainly many viruses infecting the nervous system cause disease only after long latency periods; the visna virus in sheep is a good example. We also know that antibodies against a virus do not automatically confer freedom from disease. Indeed, in cases like Dengue fever, humoral immunity can actually exacerbate an infection. In exploring the biology of AIDS, as in any new scientific enterprise, as important as it is to be guided by principles learned in the past, it is equally important not to be blinded by them. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Beliefs, opinions and attitudes, AIDS (Disease), editorial, Duesberg, Peter H.

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Foamy viruses bubble on

Article Abstract:

The reverse transcriptase and other Pol proteins of the human foamy virus (HFV) are translated from a spliced messenger RNA, and they lack Gag sequences. HFV is similar to hepatitis B virus and may be as useful as a gene vector to non-proliferating cells. The HFV infecting species seldom show any disease and its association with thyroid diseases in humans are under scrutiny. Russell and Miller claimed that the virus vectors infect the cells in the stationary phase of the cell cycle.

Analysis, Usage, Genetic aspects, Genetic transcription, Transcription (Genetics), Messenger RNA, Retroviruses

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HIV-1 tropism and co-receptor use

Article Abstract:

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) isolates utilize chemoattractant cytokine or chemokine receptors as entry portals through the T-cell. The infection of specific cell types by different HIV-1 isolates is dependent on the type of chemokine receptor that is utilized by the virus. Furthermore, the entry of macrophage-tropic and T-cell-tropic HIV-1 isolates were mediated by CCR5 and CXCR4 chemokine co-receptor molecules and CD4.

Physiological aspects, Cell receptors, Cytokines, Virus receptors, Tropisms, Tropism, Virus-induced immunosuppression

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